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N.J. family who lost dog during Sandy reunited at pound

By The Associated Press

Posted:
05/04/2014 12:01:00 AM MDT

Kelsey James hugs Reckless, her dog which the Keansburg family found Thursday, May 1, 2014, at the Monmouth County SPCA, a year and a half after Reckless was lost during Superstorm Sandy.(AP Photo/The Asbury Park Press, Mark R. Sullivan)

EATONTOWN, N.J. — A New Jersey family whose terrier-pitbull mix escaped from their backyard during Hurricane Sandy went to an animal shelter last week to adopt a new pet and came home with their old dog.

Chuck James told The Associated Press that his family searched for their brown-and-white dog named Reckless for months after the October 2012 storm before finally giving up hope.

"We reported him missing and called the shelters periodically, just hoping they had him," James said Saturday. "We always kept our hopes up, but eventually it's time to move on."

James said the family had planned in recent weeks to get a new dog as a 10th birthday surprise for their eldest daughter, Ally.

But when the family of five went to the Monmouth County SPCA on Thursday to adopt an animal, James and his wife approached the first cage and saw a familiar face inside.

"He was a little bigger than I remembered because they had fed him well," James said. "But then he was laying on my wife's feet, and I knew it was him. ... I was in disbelief. I know this dog is meant to be with our family."

When SPCA officials asked whether they could prove the animal was their dog, a friend sent over a picture showing the family with their dog before Sandy hit the Jersey shore.

"We're all so happy to have him back," James said.

SPCA officials say Reckless was picked up as a stray and has been microchipped.

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